Catheter with deflectable distal section

Abstract

An electrophysiology catheter assembly having a deflection mechanism rotatably disposed within an inner lumen of the catheter so that deflection of the deflection mechanism within the inner lumen results in a deflection of the distal portion of the catheter. Rotation of the deflection mechanism within the inner lumen of the catheter allows universal deflection of the distal portion of the catheter about its longitudinal axis. The deflection mechanism may be first rotated and then deflected or it may be first deflected and then rotated in a deflected condition. The catheter shaft does not need to be rotated to change the shape of its distal portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An elongated catheter assembly comprising: a) an elongated catheter which has proximal and distal sections, an inner lumen extending therein and at least one electrode on a distal portion thereof; and   b) an internal deflection means disposed within the inner lumen of the catheter which has a deflectable distal tip portion and which is free to axially rotate within the inner lumen of the catheter and with respect to the catheter so that rotation of the internal deflection means within the inner lumen of the catheter will allow the distal portion of the catheter to be deflected about a longitudinal axis of the catheter without axially rotating the catheter.   
     
     
       2. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated catheter has a closed distal tip. 
     
     
       3. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 2 wherein the deflectable distal tip of the internal deflection means is rotatably secured to the closed distal tip of the catheter. 
     
     
       4. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 3 wherein the closed distal tip of the catheter is an electrode. 
     
     
       5. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 4 wherein the electrode is an ablation electrode. 
     
     
       6. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 5 including a temperature sensing means on the distal tip of the catheter. 
     
     
       7. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 4 wherein a safety wire or ribbon which has proximal and distal ends is disposed within the catheter with its distal end secured to the distal tip electrode and its proximal end secured within the catheter at a location proximal to the distal tip electrode. 
     
     
       8. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 7 wherein a ring shaped anchor is provided in the catheter and the proximal end of the safety wire is secured thereto. 
     
     
       9. The elongated catheter of claim 1 wherein the internal deflection means includes a tubular member with proximal and distal ends, an inner lumen extending therein, a port near the distal end thereof in fluid communication with the inner lumen and the deflectable distal tip secured to the distal end of the tubular member and a control wire slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the tubular member extending out the port near the distal end thereof and secured to the deflectable distal tip whereby the application of tension to the control wire causes the deflection of the deflectable distal tip. 
     
     
       10. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 9 wherein the internal deflection means includes a second control wire which is slidably disposed within the inner lumen of the tubular member, which extends out a second port in the tubular member and which is secured the deflectable distal tip at a second location. 
     
     
       11. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 10 wherein the second control wire is secured to the same side of the deflectable distal tip as the first control wire is secured to. 
     
     
       12. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 10 wherein the second control wire is secured to the side of the deflectable distal tip opposite to the side the first control wire is secured to. 
     
     
       13. The elongated catheter of claim 9 wherein the deflectable distal tip of the internal deflection means is unsecured to the catheter. 
     
     
       14. The elongated catheter of claim 13 including a distal end and a port in the distal end. 
     
     
       15. The elongated catheter of claim 13 including a closed distal end. 
     
     
       16. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 9 wherein the internal deflection means includes a helically coiled wire disposed about the deflectable distal tip and wherein the means to longitudinally move the internal deflection means includes a loop which is secured to the deflectable distal tip and which slidably engages the wire forming the helical coil whereby rotation of the internal deflection means about a longitudinal axis thereof causes the longitudinal movement of the internal deflection means within the inner lumen of the catheter. 
     
     
       17. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 9 wherein the deflectable distal tip has a rectangular transverse cross-section. 
     
     
       18. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 9 wherein the deflectable distal tip tapers in the distal direction to a smaller short transverse dimension. 
     
     
       19. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 1 including means operable from the proximal section of the catheter assembly to adjust the deflection of the deflectable distal tip of the internal deflection means. 
     
     
       20. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 1 including means to longitudinally move the internal deflection means within the inner lumen of the catheter independent of the means to deflect the deflectable distal tip thereof. 
     
     
       21. The elongated catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein the deflectable distal tip of the internal defection means is rotatably secured to the distal end of the catheter. 
     
     
       22. An elongated electrophysiology catheter assembly comprising: a) an elongated intravascular catheter which has proximal and distal sections, an inner lumen extending therein, a plurality of electrodes on a distal portion thereof and a plurality of electrical conductors, each electrically connected to an electrode; and   b) an internal deflection means disposed within a deflectable distal tip portion and which is free to axially rotate within the inner lumen of the catheter and with respect to the catheter so that rotation of the internal deflection means within the inner lumen of the catheter will allow the distal portion of the catheter to be deflected about a longitudinal axis of the catheter without axially rotating the catheter.